It’s human nature to want to be recognized, set apart, or seen as unique. We take great efforts to insure this happens throughout our life beginning with the very names we give to our children. Names are chosen to honor the child with the memory of some loved one who has gone before them.

With our special names we set out to make our mark in the world. As kids we decorate our bikes with streamers and flashing lights. We start to develop our own “style”. The haircut we get, our favorite color, the shirt we like.

Certain music talks to us. Certain entertainers or sports figures become our heroes. We decorate our homes, lockers, offices, all in such a way as to say “this is me”.

Why do we do this? Because we need to be noticed, appreciated. No one has ever existed in earth like you. This is something to be celebrated . . . this wonderful you. Parents, isn’t this your goal with your children? To raise happy, confident young persons who know who they are and what gifts they bring to the world? Of course.

But . . . . . . .

We must be careful here. Why is each human “special”? It comes from God making us in His image and from those who pour their love into us (parents, family, friends). To them we are special. As for the world . . . we happen to be just one of what?, six billion human beings living on this earth.

My point is “being special” comes from being who God made us to be and from being loved. Everyone needs to be loved. Where things can go wrong is thinking the world owes me love in the form of fun and excitement and boundless opportunity . . because “I’m special”.

I’m afraid we’re raising children in such a way that when life deals disappointment and heartache (and it certainly does), when the world turns cold and could care less about how unique they are, our young ones feel like they’ve been tricked. “This is not the world you told me I was entitled to!”

“This is hard. The world is not respecting me and my plans for life. Don’t they know “I’m special?”

This is where unhappiness happens for millions of people in our country. Life just didn’t turn out the way they thought. Somehow happiness was just supposed to hap- pen.

No thought was given to how you deal with failure and disappointment. They are given no concept of life as “struggle”, no resource to deal with life’s setbacks.

So what do many do? Some of the options available are:

1. Get bitter. Life stinks and my mission in life, my contribution, is to let everyone know how unfair life is. Be a “bitter realist”
2. Blame someone or something else for your problems. It’s the government, the school system, the coach, the current administration, the job market, etc.
3. Drop out. Just stop trying. What’s the use? The world doesn’t care that I’m special, so why should I try? “I didn’t ask to be born.”

Parents, grandparents, here’s how you can help. Teach your children that life is real and earnest. It’s not a cake walk. You will teach them everything they need to succeed but only by their efforts will they carve their own path through life.

Yes, sometimes life is not fair. But strangely enough it’s in these moments when the wonderful virtue of CHARACTER happens. (The quality that comes when you keep trying in the face of disappointment, when you re- fuse to give in to bitterness and name calling).

Yes, you are special; not because you’re smart or cute or athletic or popular or funny or charming . . . it’s because God made you and put His image in you and wants you to love Him and everybody else till we see God in the “Great Wow” yet to come.

Oh Summertime ……………. Thank you Lord. Fr. Tim

. . . During this time of “staying home” we find ourselves with lots of time on our hands. Time to think, to wonder, to remember.

Here are 20 questions that might add to your thoughtful moments. Some are quite personal and not to be shared; others might bring a nice conversation with a loved one. Go slow. Don’t do them all at once.

Can you remember a time as a child (@6-12yrs.) that God seemed close to you? Where were you? How did it feel?

1. Children often have childlike experiences of God. What was yours?
2. Now that I am older, I experience God . . . . how?
3. What makes you shy about telling a story with you and God in it?
4. Things that make it hard to believe in God are . . .
5. Do you pray? How do you pray? When do you pray?
6. Finish this sentence. “The time I knew God was with me was when . . . “
7. How do you know when your love for someone is really real not just a momentary feeling?
8. Do your children or friends know you believe in God? How would they know?
9. Do you worry sometimes that God can’t (or won’t) make this world “right”?
10. Have you ever done something that cost you time and frustration (and gave you nothing in return) solely because it was the right thing to do? What was it? How did that feel?
11. Has anything hurtful or frustrating happened to you that later on, contained a hidden “goodness”, that showed you God was there?
12. What would you say is “a grace”? Give an example.
13. What do you think children most need to know to face the world and its challenges?
14. Tears are most times a sign of love. What would move you to tears?
15. What does the current bickering in Washington, almost monthly acts of senseless violence, natural disasters around the world do to your faith?
16. Jesus tells us, to be his disciples we will experience the cross. What cross (suffering) do you carry in union with Him?
17. “Life is more __________ than I thought it would be.” (What word(s) would you use to reflect your thought?)
18. Looking back, do you wish you could change any thing?
19. Looking forward, do you wish to change anything?
20. What has happened in your life that you would NEVER change?

. . . Just some questions to think about and maybe share with someone? (bet you bump into some God Stuff you didn’t realize was there).

God’s going to get you. But you’ve got to let Him.

Fr. Tim

Picture a locomotive sitting in a train yard. The engine car has sat idle for over two months. The long line of cars attached are waiting to be set in motion. How do we get things rolling again?

Holy Trinity, up and running, has 1200 people attending weekend masses, 10 weddings, 40 First Communions, 50 teens waiting for Confirmation, 50 funerals each year, 12 parish committees, and about 10 parish ministries having over 300 volunteers.

All has been on hold since Palm Sunday in April. How do we start up yet continue to be safe during the ongoing Covid 19?

Starting this Sunday, June 14, Holy Trinity will be open to the public for Sunday worship. It is right that we begin the start up of our parish by gathering for the most important thing we do . . . worship of God in the Eucharist.

Current public attendance is limited to 25% capacity of each particular gathering space. That means HT can handle 300 people at any one mass. (This is divided up into three spaces – – – Church Proper, Gathering Space, and the new Trinity Hall).

You will find on our website and Facebook the particular procedures we will be using to facilitate the safe gathering of all who come to mass. PLEASE READ THESE OVER CAREFULLY so you will be ready to help make a peaceful gathering for all.

In the meantime let me make a couple comments that will make our gathering a sign of our love for each other.

• We need to begin with the attitude that things will be different for the time being. Where you sit at mass, the wearing of a mask, the way we go to communion, will all be a part of a new experience at mass.
• Please be patient with the things that may irritate you. (Signing up for mass, people instructing you where to sit, no singing, social distancing etc.).
• Remember we are all here to be with Jesus Christ and one another. The fullness of the Eucharistic presence is with us; no mask or distancing changes that.
• This is only for awhile. We pray that our normal way of gathering will happen soon.
• Smile!! You’re so pretty when you do.

God loves you.

Fr. Tim

The work of a parish priest gives the chance to observe people in many different life situations.

The elderly smile and shine with pride when their children and grand-children are home visiting. The steely determination of parents as they sacrifice for their children. Nervous newly engaged couples approaching the church to plan their wedding. A stay in the hospital tends to bring out anyone’s true colors. We priests see it all.

But the ones that touch me the most are our young children and teens. They’re so “out there”, so new and raw, so . . . wonderfully goofy. Let’s  marvel for a moment at our young ones.

Doesn’t it kill you when . . .

• They smile that kid’s smile. It’s radiant without their knowing it. The smile doesn’t have the slightest notion of what we know (that heartache isn’t too far down the road.) “Oh,” we say, “If only they could stay here.” So beautiful.
• A young person shows off some talent or favorite activity getting friends or family to smile and applaud.
• The girls break into singing the current youth “anthem” at a party or game. They’re so free in that happy way.
• The boys power down unbelievable amounts of spaghetti and get hungry 20 minutes later.
• The whole school turns out for a prayer service for one of their sick class mates.
• They try putting on some idea of adult behavior just to see how it feels.
• They collapse in tears and fall into your arms . . . and still want you near them.
• After days of whining and selfishness they come out of themselves and do something amazingly thoughtful for someone. “Yay! It’s working!”, parents think for a moment.

And don’t you wish you could . . . . . you know . . . control their lives!

• Spare them the hurt you know life eventually hands out?
• Let them see what you see in them (how wonderful they are)?
• Give them the confidence they need without them having to earn it through trial and error?
• Choose their friends?
• Spare them bad, impulsive choices?
• Find the perfect job, boyfriend, girlfriend, room-mate?
• Get them to experience God’s Spirit working in their life?
• Ensure their happiness and safety throughout their lives?

Oh how we want to live their lives for them!

So the question for parents and grand-parents is this:

Do you think God loves these children less than you? He made them!! He loved them so much He gave each of them a unique personality, style, and soul. To top it off. . . God gave them YOU.

So what’s your part in their life now? Here they are, physically grown, and old enough to make their own choices. So many choices out there; so many voices calling them to follow. They need you to witness to your belief in the goodness of life. They need you to show them why you continue to hope in spite of trouble and darkness . . . why you pray, why you believe in the goodness of people. Why you follow Christ. 

Jesus may have been thinking of teenagers when he said, “Watch the wild flowers grow . . . they neither spin nor worry . . . yet not even King Solomon is as beautiful as these. Won’t God be sure to watch over you?” Luke 12: 27-28 

BUT!   Teach these young ones to “Seek FIRST my will in their life,” says the Lord. “And these other things will come to pass.”

What’s God’s part? “Take courage.” He says. “I have overcome the world”.

God is with you. Trust Him

Fr. Tim

What does it mean TO HAVE HOPE?

The common everyday meaning of hope has to do with a DESIRE for some particular thing to happen for me or for others. For example: “I hope it snows all night so there’s no school!!” Or “I hope the Bills make the playoffs next year.” Or “I hope he calls me for dinner.” Or “I hope this medicine works.”

It’s sort of related to “wishing”. “I wish I could putt (sing, dance, pray. . .) better.” In other words it is my desire for improvement at something. Now to the degree that a certain result lies in my power to achieve, then, it would seem, if I applied myself, “I would have every hope of succeeding”.

But more often we use hope to express our best wishes for ourselves and loved ones, hopes that are by no means certain. I hope you: win the lottery, do well on your SAT’s, get the promotion, meet up with her at the party, find those car keys. And to that, hope a friend would respond, GOOD LUCK. Good luck because “chances are” it might not happen. The New York Lottery is fond of playing on this “hope” of a win. “Play the Lotto because. . . Hey, you never know”.

This is not what Christians mean by hope. Hear the words of the Universal Catechism: “Hope is the virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises – – – not on our strength.” (1817). Scripture says, “hold fast the confession of hope, for he who promised is faithful.” (Heb 10:23).

In fact Christian hope has nothing to do with wishing or chance. Through the merits of Christ’s Passion “this hope (of Eternal Life) does not disappoint.” (Rms 5:5). Hope is the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul that enters where Jesus has already gone as a forerunner on our behalf.” (Heb 6:19-20).

In other words Christian hope IS A SURE THING. It’s for sure because it is based on a promise by God- – – God who can neither deceive nor be deceived. When Jesus (the Word made flesh) says: “I am the resurrection and the life.” “Whoever puts their faith in me will never suffer eternal death”, “I am going to prepare a place for you and then I will come back and take you with me.” HE MEANS IT. IT’S A SURE THING. He’s not kid- ding around. He’s the way, the TRUTH, and the life.

So hope is based on the Word of God (the promises made through Jesus Christ). It is of course preceded by faith. FAITH gives us the power to believe in the promises. HOPE now desires those promises as real and attainable. And these two give rise to CHARITY which, given the certainty of the promises, frees us from ourselves and our selfishness. We are then able to love God above all things and our neighbor as we love ourselves.

It is this peaceful, confident (based on God, not us) hope of a blessedness which we at Holy Trinity Parish desire to extend to all who are in need. How will we do that? By being people of hope.

Come join us in our mission!
Fr. Tim

If you were God and you chose to be born a human being how would you have done it? Find a list of choices below and see how your preferences compare with God’s. (Remember, you are God, the whole world is yours.)

1. When would you come to earth? Probably around this time right? At least a time in history with electricity and light and indoor plumbing and TV of course! Wrong!! God came 2000 yrs. ago not long after the Bronze Age. People were just learning farming and writing.

2. Where would you be born? Let’s see . . . Paris? New York? Hawaii? Some exotic and beautiful place probably. Wrong!! God was born in a backward little town called Bethlehem next to the largest desert in the world.

3. Who would be your family? Your blood? Some famous stock of Roman or Greek or Egyptian nobility? Wrong!! Your blood is Jewish, a minor tribal grouping of people who were slaves for most of their history.

4. What would your financial situation be? I mean really . . . God is rich. Right? God, as man, would have the material world at his fingertips. What comfort would not be yours while on earth? Wrong!! He was born in a stable. His parents had to stretch to make the simplest of payments. The bible says he literally had no home.

5. Who would your friends and associates be? The educated, the executives, the cultured and high class, the religious for sure. Wrong!! He hung with the working class. Fishermen, carpenters. He ate with the outcasts: extortionists (tax collectors), prostitutes, lepers.

6. Who would you have close to you? Your wife? Your cabinet? Cleopatra? The Queen of Sheba? The Harvard Board of Directors? Wrong!! You never marry (“What’s wrong with that boy?”). Your Cabinet (The Apostles) prove to be traitors and cowards.

7. What would be your greatest achievement? To be universally acclaimed as King of all the world? To have every people and nation bow to your smallest command? Wrong!! Your greatest achievement will be your death—naked and nailed to a cross— and then your Resurrection.

I think you begin to see how differently God chose to live his life from the way you and I would. That’s because we don’t get it. We think the purpose of life is to enjoy, to be fulfilled, to be happy in the ways this world can deliver. And as lovely as they are, we must be careful. We can get blinded by the shiny, sparkly things and begin to think that having them is why I’m here on earth.

To correct this Jesus came to show us what God the Father had in mind when he made us humans. How we are to be a Light to the World, not a sponge. We are a seed that dies to itself so it can give life a hundred fold. We are a branch united to God’s Vine (Christ) that receives his very life into us. (Read Mt. 5:13 – – The Beatitudes for the new key to happiness.)

And here’s the point . . . if we miss this we miss everything . . . “apart from me you can do nothing.” Jn. 15:5 Like a branch separated from the vine, we wither over time. That’s because we’re living life apart from our source – God.

What wondrous love God is! The small, the humble, the gentle, reveal His infinite power. This power of love has overcome the world. Jn. 16:33

It’s still Easter!!
Fr. Tim

Hi.

I’m sitting here wondering what I can talk to you about that might bring a bit of Holy Trinity to you in these days when we can’t be together.

New York State just announced Phase I (of 4) goes into effect this Friday. It allows necessary construction and manufacturing projects to restart. Looking down the staging it seems haircuts and church worship will begin in Phase 4. Each phase is separated by two weeks.

That would put our gathering for mass at Holy Trinity sometime at the end of June (perhaps the 28th). By my reckoning that means we’re half way with the social distancing – – 6 weeks down, 6 weeks to go. Other things will open before that, retail etc., but Sunday mass is still a ways away

So how are you holding up? Getting tired of same old same old? Need a haircut? We’re all in that boat.

Remember when your parents piled you all in the car and off you went to some distant destination . . . maybe grandma’s or some state park. “Are we there yet?” we’d asked over and over. “How long will it be?” (Dad would be the one to stop the whining. “Just sit back and count the cars. I’ll let you know when we’re close.”) We were in agony in the back seat.

Kinda like now, only this time we’re older and much more mature. Right?

Okay, so here’s what it’s like in the rectory for me and Fr. John. With no real appointment to keep until mass at nine each morning, our rising and starting the day varies. Generally speaking, I’d say we’re both up and getting ready for the day around 7 am (sometimes earlier).

I think Fr. John stays in his room for morning prayer and then heads to the kitchen. I can’t wait. I want a cup of coffee and the paper (and thank you to my friend, who faithfully leaves it right outside the rectory door.)

Eight o’clock finds us reading the paper and making comments on the news, “Hey Tim, it says here there’s five things we need to know about how the Bills will fill the outside linebacker position.” Or “John, did you know now’s the time to plant peas?” Fascinating stuff.

(Are you still reading this?!! Call someone for help.)

Then off we each go to continue the morning (shower, mass, morning prayer, more coffee then down to the office). Kasey Baker, Helen Sleeman and Pam Schultz are there at various times working away.

So time to read emails and respond. Write the bulletin message (you’re reading it now). Look out over the days ahead to be sure I don’t miss anything. Nothing going. By noon Fr. John is watching Governor Cuomo’s press conference. (Say what you want about his other shortcomings, this man knows how to handle a pandemic).

At some point you go over the readings for Sunday and begin to prepare a homily. “Lord, let this be YOUR word to the people, not mine.” (Fr. John and I take this part of our ministry very seriously.) Preparation, reading the scripture background and commentary, takes a good 3 to five hours during the week, along with prayer asking for the Holy Spirit.

Reading for pleasure has been a real gift in these days and each of us find an hour or two to follow our various interests. Fr. John is a voracious reader. He just finished all the Killing Kennedy, Jesus, Patton, Lincoln, etc.

I like to read stuff on anthropology (how humans developed) and biographies (Churchill recently).

Dinner happens around 5:30. We have so many parishioners to thank for bringing meals to the rectory. (I mentioned a few weeks back how we like spaghetti, and we do. But not three nights in a row. Cool it with the spaghetti please!)

After dinner, (still with me?) we catch the evening news in John’s room then it’s off to our own apartment. Reading, prayers, phone calls, music fill this time.

“Cocktails?” you ask. Why yes, I’d love one thank you. This starts at nine and goes to ten. Truly a cocktail HOUR. We watch more news (we’re junkies), some- times switching between MSNBC and Hannity on Fox. They’re on totally different planets. Someday we’ll end the name calling.

Ten o’clock, in our rooms, lights out soon after. “Good night Lord. Thank you.”

I presumed I’ve bored you to death, but now you know what it’s like for Fr. John and me in the rectory. Com- pared to us old guys maybe your life looks a bit brighter now!

Please know we both miss you, pray for you, and can’t wait till we’re all together again. Don’t be afraid.

Fr. Tim

This Sunday of course is Mother’s Day.

My mother, Rosemary, has been gone now for eight years (?). (I’ve lost track of the time.) She and my father brought three children into the world. Dad wanted more but mom said, “this is enough”.

I’ve mentioned in the past that mom was a bit different in her “mothering” style. She wasn’t known for her time spent in the kitchen (though when the pressure was on she did quite well). She wasn’t a hand holder or a big kisser, but she was quick to apply the band aid or administer the calamine lotion as needed.

What mother was wonderful at was conversation.
It was fun to talk with her. She’d ask the best questions to start you thinking and then she’d listen carefully to your thoughts. She could read people and know what they were trying to say.

Please don’t be shocked by this but I’m seeing now how, later on, I related to mom more like my “sister”. There’s not this “lean” toward her as “life giver” and “nourisher”. Rather she became a “fellow traveler”, an “observer of life”.

She had a fierce loyalty to her husband Phil. I re- member her tapping my hand as I grabbed for the biggest pork chop on the platter. “That one is for your father.”

And your mother?

Isn’t it wonderful that we all have one? And a father too. It unites us all . . . as children! You and I know what it is to know nothing; to be totally de- pendent on the safety and love and direction provided by our parents.

Women. You have this amazing thing in you. I write this as a man, in an age where it’s discouraged to make “general” statements about any group of per- sons. I don’t care. Women. You have this amazing thing in you. What tenderness, compassion, and undying hope exists in this world – – – comes mostly from two sources – – Jesus and women.

Women have civilized this world. Not only did you give us arms and legs and eyes to see . . . you saw to it that we grew strong; and you loved us into real persons. You worried and prayed about us in ways we’ll never know. You just have (it’s hard to find the words) a gravity to you that keeps us in proper or- bit. You are our home.

Yeah that’s it, you are “home”. And it’s quite a wonderful one (not perfect of course!) until we all meet up in Our Eternal Home.

One other thought about Mary, The Blessed Mother. May is the month we remember her is a special way. Remember Jesus on the cross just before he died? “When Jesus saw his mother and his disciple there (John) he said to his mother ‘woman, behold your son ’ To his disciple he said ‘behold your mother’”. John 19: 26, 27.

Jesus gave us a spiritual mother in Mary. She gave birth to us in the waters of baptism. We became a child of God, with the life of her firstborn, Jesus, poured into our souls.

Each of us is left to “find Mary” in our own way guided by God’s grace. For me I talk to Mary as I would with my mother on our screened in porch so many years ago. It’s a little different with Mary however . . . there’s no cigarette and martini.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Fr. Tim

Thought I’d go back for this one. Back to when we were children and life was always serving up moments that we’d never experienced before. We’ve become quite used to them by now; they hold no special power to ponder and wonder about. Not so when they happened for the first time.

Remember when:

• You made your first successful ride on a bike? Wonderful!
• You got sick to your stomach. Where was it? At school? In the car? In the bathroom? “What the heck is happening to me?!”
• Mom told you it was only a “nightmare”? (What’s a nightmare mom?)
• You fell and got the wind knocked out of you? Can’t breathe!
• You bumped your nose and the pain and watery eyes blinded you?
• You ripped your pants in the back and the whole 3rd grade class roared with laughter?
• Your first roller coaster ride? (Most people loved it. It terrified me.)
• You caught the fly ball, sank the basket, got a hit, scored a touchdown? There are many “first times”. Some are very personal and for your memory only. But we all have times that have thrilled us and those that have pained us greatly. (Looking at my list above it seems I mostly remember the pain!)

What did we learn or how did these things shape us in life? May I suggest a couple “life lessons” that these memories can bring?

• Life is a mystery. The wonder or shock that certain times can bring remind us that we’re not in charge. Life is bigger than us and we must learn to “keep our feet” and “deal with it”.
• Happy or sad, in the end, most things turn out okay. (I mean look at you . . . you’re here and still standing!)
• These moments give us tools for dealing with life. Happy events let us know that life is good. Really good. We can hope. Sad or hurtful times can soften our hearts and give us a compassion for others who suffer. “I know how it is brother. I’m here if you need me.”
• These moments can turn us toward God. Unfortunately, it’s mostly the hard times that bring us to our knees. The happy times . . . well, they’re . . . fun! Remember the 10 lepers Jesus healed? Nine went skipping off home – – – only one returned to give thanks.
• No really, suffering life’s moments can bring amazing things. It can increase love Jesus told us this, “So now you are in anguish, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice and no one will take your joy away from you.” John 16:22 Think for a moment. Haven’t the most joyful moments been proceeded by suffering? Mom? After the birth labor? Dad? When you came home to us from Afghanistan?

So here we are with a First Time for all of us . . . Pandemic 2020. What will it bring to the world? How will it change us? “Do not waste this time.” Pope Francis urges us. He points to this moment as a time to renew our turning to God, our resolve to be better people, to realize we are all connected as brothers and sisters.

It’s time to grow. It can be a new day for all of us. But first we need to wear these silly masks.

Don’t be afraid.

Fr. Tim